Eschatology: 1. The Rapture of the Church.

1. The Meaning of the word “rapture”

This term comes from the Latin word, rapere, meaning to transport from one place to another. Also from the Latin raptus ("a carrying off").[17]

Thus the next great scheduled event predicted by the Bible will take place :when the Lord Jesus comes in the air to catch up His own. Note the following:

1Th 4:13  But I would not have you ignorant, brothers, concerning those who are asleep, that you be not grieved, even as others who have no hope.

1Th 4:14  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will also bring with Him all those who have fallen asleep through Jesus.

1Th 4:15  For we say this to you by the Word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord shall not go before those who are asleep.

1Th 4:16  For the Lord Himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ shall rise first.

1Th 4:17  Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. And so we shall ever be with the Lord.

1Th 4:18  Therefore comfort one another with these words.

Caught up together ἁρπάζω GRK harpazō Thayer Definition:

1) to seize, carry off by force

2) to seize on, claim for one’s self eagerly

3) to snatch out or away

By a swift, resistless, divine energy. Comp. 2Co_12:2, 2Co_12:4; Act_8:39.

Most Orthodox, Catholic and Reformed do not believe in the snatching away of the Church other than the last resurrection.

The catching Away

1Co 15:51  I tell you a truth hitherto kept secret: we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

1Co 15:52  in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the sounding of the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incapable of decay, and *we* shall be changed.

1Co 15:53  For so it must be: this perishable nature must clothe itself with what is imperishable, and this mortality must clothe itself with immortality.WNT

Changed : ἀλλάσσω allassō Thayer Definition:

1) to change, to exchange one thing for another, to transform

2. The Participants of the Rapture.

For whom will Jesus come?

It is the view of this theological summary that Christ will come for His Church., which is composed of all saved people from Pentecost up to the the Rapture itself.

This meeting in the air will include:

1. Our Lord Jesus Christ.   1 Thess 4:17 “to meet the Lord in the air”e archang
2. The Archangel.: (perhaps Michael);

Dan 12:1  And at that time Michael shall stand up, the great ruler who stands for the sons of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation; until that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

Dan 12:2  And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

also Jude 9

Rev 12:7  And war broke out in Heaven, Michael and his angels engaging in battle with the Dragon.

Rev 12:8  The Dragon fought and so did his angels; but they were defeated, and there was no longer any room found for them in Heaven.

3. The bodies of all Believers who have died.

“ the dead will be raised incapable of decay,” 1 Cor 15 :52.

4. The Translated Bodies of living Believers. 1Co 15:53  For so it must be: this perishable nature must clothe itself with what is imperishable, and this mortality must clothe itself with immortality.

www.biblebeliever.co.za

3. False beliefs about the Rapture.

1. The Rapture and the Second Coming are the same event.

At the Rapture Jesus is coming for true believers who are members of the Body of Christ, the Church. He is coming in the air. At the Second Coming He is coming with His saints to the earth.Col 3:4  When Christ appears--He is our true Life--then you also will appear with Him in glory. Second Coming.

Jude 1:14  It was also about these that Enoch, who belonged to the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied, saying, "The Lord has come, attended by myriads of His people, to execute judgement upon all, (Second Coming)

Jud 1:15  and to convict all the ungodly of all the ungodly deeds which in their ungodliness they have committed, and of all the hard words which they, ungodly sinners as they are, have spoken against Him."

Rev 19:11  Then I saw a door open in Heaven, and a white horse appeared. Its rider was named "Faithful and True" --being One who in righteousness acts as Judge, and makes war.

Rev 19:12  His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many kingly crowns; and He has a name written upon Him which no one but He Himself knows.

Rev 19:13  The outer garment in which He is clad has been dipped in blood and His name is THE WORD OF GOD.

Rev 19:14  The armies in Heaven followed Him--mounted on white horses and clothed in fine linen, white and spotless. (The Saints with Him)

Rev 19:15  From His mouth there comes a sharp sword with which He will smite the nations; and He will Himself be their Shepherd, ruling them with a scepter of iron; and it is His work to tread the winepress of the fierce anger of God, the Ruler of all.

Rev 19:16  And on His outer garment and on His thigh He has a name written, KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

2. The Rapture is only for ‘spiritual’ Christians, and the carnal or worldly ones will be left behind to suffer the tribulation.  This theory is refuted by one little word in 1 Cor 15:51 when it says , “we all shall be changed”. This false view is often referred to as the Partial Rapture.
3. That the Rapture will not occur until the middle of the Tribulation.  Thus, the entire church would go through the first three and a half years of God’s Wrath on the earth.This theory called Mid- tribulationism is refuted by: 1Th 5:9  For God has not pre-destined us to meet His anger, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ;
4. That the Rapture will not occur until the end of the Tribulation. This is known as Post-Tribulationism and is refuted by:1Th 5:9  For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

1Th 5:10  who died for us, so that whether we watch or sleep we should live together with Him.

Rev 3:10  Because you have kept the Word of My patience, I also will keep you from the hour of temptation which will come upon all the habitable world, to try those who dwell upon the earth.

The New Testament pictures the Church, as the Body and the Bride of Christ. If the Mid Tribulation or the Post-Tribulation views were correct then, a part of the body would suffer amputation and a section of the Bride would be left behind.

One would have to suppose also that all bodies of ‘Carnal’ Christians who have died would be left behind in the grave as well. This is simply not the clear teaching of the Word of God.

The Bible teaches that the Rapture is Pre-tribulation in nature and includes all believers.

Rom 5:8  But God commends His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.

Rom 5:9  Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.

1Th 1:9  For they themselves witness what kind of entrance we had to you, even how you turned from idols to God in order to serve the living and true God,

1Th 1:10  and to wait for His Son from Heaven (whom He raised from the dead), Jesus, who delivered us from the wrath to come.

One of the strongest statements comes from the fact that up to chapter 6 of Revelation, the church is mentioned many times, but from Chapter 6 to 19 (the Period of the tribulation) there is no mention whatsoever of the church on earth. In fact the only gody group that Satan can find to persecute is the nation of Israel. Note Rev 12.

Revelation chapter 4:1  After these things I looked, and behold, a door was opened in Heaven. And the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me, saying, Come up here, and I will show you what must occur after these things.

Rev 4:2  And immediately I became in spirit. And behold, a throne was set in Heaven, and One sat upon the throne.

In 2Co 5:20  Then we are ambassadors on behalf of Christ, as God exhorting through us, we beseech you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

Before a king declares war he always removes his Ambassador. 

Thus, we conclude that the church will escape the Wrath to come; the Tribulation. Willmington p.825

4. The Purpose of the Rapture.

1. To judge and reward the Saints at the Bema Seat of Christ

Bema Seat - What Is It and When Is It?

The concept of the Bema Seat comes from the ancient Olympics, where a judge would sit on the Bema Seat at the finish line. The judge's purpose was to determine what position the runners came in-first, second, and so on-and then to give out the appropriate rewards. That is the imagery behind what is known as the Bema Seat.

Also known as the Judgment Seat of Christ, the Bema Seat is described in 1 Corinthians 3:12-15, "If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames." Your gold, silver, and costly stones are works done for the glory of God, with the right motive, and in dependence upon the power of the Holy Spirit.

There is some debate as to the exact timing of the Bema Seat. Some understand it to occur at the moment of death for each believer. Others believe the Bema Seat to occur during the end times, with all believers being judged at that time. It does not truly matter when the Bema Seat occurs. It is far more important that we be prepared for the Bema Seat. -  http://www.allaboutgod.com/bema-seat.htm#sthash.EFOxMW40.dpuf

The bema, or speaker's platform, at the Pnyx in Athens Wikipedia

On the other hand, the bēma seat served as a public platform where leaders gave speeches. The elevated platform allowed for his audience to see and hear him clearly. Also, judges of the Olympic games would stand on the bēma to discern the winners of a contest. Moreover, “It was an elevated platform where victorious athletes (e.g. during the Olympics) went to receive their crowns” (MacArthur’s Study Bible, p. 1770). In this instance, no one pronounced judgment; rather, the judge awarded those who won the athletic contest. Within this cultural context, a believer can truly understand the “judgment seat of Christ.” http://greekinsights.blogspot.com.au/

2. To Remove the Spirit of God.

2Th 2:3  Let no one in any way deceive you, for that day cannot come without the coming of the apostasy first, and the appearing of the man of sin, the son of perdition, who sets himself against,

2Th 2:4  and exalts himself above, every so-called 'god' or object of worship, and goes the length of taking his seat in the very temple of God, giving it out that he himself is God.

2Th 2:5  Do you not remember that while I was still with you I used to tell you all this?

2Th 2:6  And now you know what restrains him, in order that his true character may be revealed at his appointed time.

2Th 2:7  For lawlessness is already at work in secret; but only until the one who is now exercising a restraining influence is removed,

2Th 2:8  and then the Lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will sweep away with the tempest of His anger, and utterly overwhelm by the awful splendour of His Coming.

Many believe that the Restrainer is the Holy Spirit. At the Rapture the Restraining influence of the Holy Spirit will be removed and the Man of Sin, the Lawless One, will have freedom to vent his evil on the earth during the tribulation.

SEE further :http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries / Who is the restrainer?

5. The mystery of the Rapture.

1Co 15:51  Behold, I speak a mystery to you; we shall not all fall asleep, but we shall all be changed;

1Co 15:52  in a moment, in a glance of an eye, at the last trumpet. For a trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall all be changed.

Mystery μυστήριον mustērion Thayer Definition:

1) hidden thing, secret, mystery

1a) generally mysteries, religious secrets, confided only to the initiated and not to ordinary mortals

1b) a hidden or secret thing, not obvious to the understanding

1c) a hidden purpose or counsel

1c1) secret will

1c1a) of men

1c1b) of God: the secret counsels which govern God in dealing with the righteous, which are hidden from ungodly and wicked men but plain to the godly

A mystery (mustērion). He does not claim that he has explained everything. He has drawn a broad parallel which opens the door of hope and confidence.

We shall not all sleep (pantes ou koimēthēsometha). Future passive indicative of koimaomai, to sleep. Not all of us shall die, Paul means. Some people will be alive when he comes. Paul does not affirm that he or any then living will be alive when Jesus comes again. He simply groups all under the phrase “we all.”

But we shall all be changed (pantes de allagēsometha). Second future passive indicative of allassō. Both living and dead shall be changed and so receive the resurrection body. See this same idea at more length in 1Th_4:13-18.RWP

One day millions of Christians be changed and enter heaven without dying. This secret transformation of our bodies will occur at the rapture.

6. The Trumpet Blast of the Rapture.

Note these verses.1Co 15:52  in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. RV

1Th 4:16  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: RV

Rev 4:1  After these things I saw, and behold, a door opened in heaven, and the first voice which I heard, a voice as of a trumpet speaking with me, one saying, Come up hither, and I will shew thee the things which must come to pass hereafter.

Note in the OT the Trumpet was used for two things:

1. To summons the troops to Battle.
2. To summons to worship. J. Dwight Pentecost

1. Note there is going to be a battle.

Joh 14:29  And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe.

Joh 14:30  I will no more speak much with you, for the prince of the world cometh:[i.e Satan] and he hath nothing in me;

Eph 6:12  For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world–rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

1Jn 5:19  We know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in the evil one. RV

1Jn 5:19  We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the Evil one.WNT

2. To the Believers the trumpet blast means  to prepare for worship. see Numbers 10:1-4

2. 10:1-4

Num 10:1  And Jehovah spoke to Moses saying,

Num 10:2  Make two trumpets of silver for yourself. You shall make them of beaten work. And they shall be used for the calling of the assembly and for causing the camps to go forward.

Num 10:3  And when they shall blow with them, all the assembly shall gather themselves to you at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

Num 10:4  And if they blow with one, then the rulers who are heads of the thousands of Israel shall gather themselves to you.

7. Old Testament foreshadowing of the Rapture.

1. Seen in Enoch who was taken from the world before the flood.Gen 5:24  And Enoch walked with God, and then he was not, for God took him.

2. Seen in Lot who was removed from Sodom before the fire and brimstone judgment.

Gen 19:22  Hurry and escape there! For I cannot do anything till you have come there. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar.

Gen 19:23  The sun had risen upon the earth, and Lot entered into Zoar.

Gen 19:24  Then Jehovah rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire, from Jehovah out of the heavens.

How then should we live

Tit 2:11  For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,

Tit 2:12  teaching us that having denied ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live discreetly, righteously and godly, in this present world,

Tit 2:13  looking for the blessed hope, and the appearance of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

Tit 2:14  who gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all iniquity and purify to Himself a special people, zealous of good works.